Earthquake recorded in Arabian Sea
A statement issued online by the EMC said: "An earthquake in the Arabian Sea with a magnitude of 5.3, at 2.02 pm MCT and at a depth of 10 km has been recorded. The earthquake was recorded 235 km away from Salalah."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Omani Teens Turn Car Pollution into Industry Gold
In a lively classroom at Nuaim bin Masood School in Suhar, two young Omani students were busy turning heads — and changing the game. Omar bin Issa Al Barmani and Tamim bin Yousuf Al Maamari weren't just your average schoolkids; they had a brilliant idea that could shake up how we tackle pollution. Their invention? A device designed to feed on car exhaust fumes and turn them into a solid stuff that can be reused industrially. Yes, you read that right — pollution turned into something useful. The spark for their project came from something very local: Oman's own abundant rock called peridotite. Tamim, who's fascinated by remote-controlled aircraft, and Omar, a science whiz who scored an impressive 99.6% at school, started exploring how to use Oman's natural resources to solve a global problem — reducing harmful car emissions. Their device attaches to a car's exhaust pipe and contains peridotite, which, when heated and exposed to the gases, chemically reacts to form calcite — a crystalline mineral also known as calcium carbonate. Now, what's calcite? Think of it as a fancy form of limestone, a mineral you might find in caves or even used to make cement, paper, and paint. In industry, calcite is prized for its versatility: it can be crushed into powder for construction materials, used in paper manufacturing, or in plastics and paints. The idea isn't just to stop pollutants from escaping into the air, but to create something that can be repurposed, turning waste into a resource rather than a problem. This isn't just a random idea. It builds on research from Sultan Qaboos University, where scientists explored how injecting CO₂ (carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas) into underground rocks like peridotite causes the gas to be absorbed and turn into solid minerals. Omar and Tamim made this complex science practical, applying it to everyday vehicles. Their approach could help curb emissions at a global level — since transport is a major contributor to climate change, with millions of cars emitting pollutants worldwide. Their dedication paid off after two years of hard work, guided by their teacher, Majid Al Maqbali, and boosted by support from their school and government bodies. They even bagged first place in the environmental category at the international ITEX competition in Malaysia, beating stiff competition from hundreds of projects around the world. They also earned an encouragement award from Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy — proof that young minds have what it takes to make a difference on the global stage. Of course, the journey wasn't without hurdles. Juggling school and supervision, sourcing funding, and conducting experiments was no walk in the park. Their teacher, Majid, recalls long days and nights spent at school, balancing responsibilities like a pro. But he believes Omar and Tamim are "national treasures" — future innovators who need nurturing and support. Right now, the project is in the early stages of being picked up by companies, but no one has yet committed to rolling it out at scale. Still, their invention has huge potential. Imagine a world where car exhausts aren't just pollutants, but sources of useful materials — in construction, manufacturing, and beyond. It's an exciting glimpse into a greener, more resourceful future. As Majid and the students look ahead, they urge more young talent across Oman to dive into innovation. The tools are out there — online resources, summer programmes, and government support — all waiting to turn bright ideas into reality. Omar and Tamim's story isn't just about fixing cars; it's about proving that with the right mindset, young minds can drive meaningful change.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Astronomical landscape in Oman: Towards a renewed community culture and scientific vision
Muscat — The Sultanate of Oman is home to numerous astronomical observatories dedicated to studying celestial phenomena and promoting astronomical knowledge. Among them is Al Saa'a 'the clock Observatory in Muscat Governorate, used for studying the movement of planets and stars and serving as an educational center for students and astronomy enthusiasts. Given the importance of this field, Oman Astronomical Society plays crucial roles in enhancing astronomical awareness. These include education and outreach, with the Society offering regular lectures and workshops on various astronomical topics, organizing events such as astronomical observation nights, and fostering scientific research. The Society encourages scientific research in astronomy and helps provide necessary resources for researchers and interested individuals. Its roles also include collaborating with educational institutions, working with schools and universities to enhance astronomy-related curricula, participating in global events like "World Space Week," and publishing astronomical materials, which serve as educational resources for enthusiasts. Astronomy has long received widespread attention from Omanis, playing a pivotal role in daily life. Through it, they organized their affairs, including travel, agriculture, and fishing. For instance, to divide falaj water during the day, they developed the "solar sundial" system, locally known as "Al-Lamd." This system relies on the movement of the shadow of a gnomon (made of iron, wood, or stone) from sunrise to sunset, serving as a timekeeper for farmers' shares of falaj water during the day. This was called "day lecture," distinguishing it from "night lecture," which always referred to using stars to complete the water distribution process in the evening. These stars are known among farmers, numbering around 24 in some wilayats and 26 in others, with this number sometimes increasing in exceptional cases. Examples of these stars include Al-Sarrah Al-Oula, Al-Sarrah Al-Thaniya, Al-Kawi, Aldebaran, Al-Miyathib, Al-Dhulmi, and others. To ensure accuracy in water distribution, farmers identified the star "Al-Munsif," whose appearance signals the halfway point of the "athar," the unit used for dividing falaj water, equivalent to approximately half an hour. The terraced agriculture in mountainous regions like Al Jabal Al Akhdar is a testament to the optimal utilization of solar radiation angles, contributing to the diversity of crops based on pre-determined measurements. In the maritime domain, Omanis were renowned as ship captains. Ahmed bin Majid Al Saadi and Nasser bin Ali Al Khadhouri are just two examples among thousands of sailors and navigators who meticulously documented their knowledge of routes, stars, and seasons for fishing and travel. They used stars as guides in the darkness of the sea and as timings for travel and fishing seasons. They also understood "sea strikes," a term used in Omani and Gulf popular culture to describe violent or sudden marine phenomena that cause disturbances in sea waters, such as strong waves, powerful currents, or sea storms. Sailors would not venture into the sea for travel or fishing during these times, which they identified by the rising or setting of certain stars. Among the most important "strikes" known to ancient Omanis is "Dharbat Al-Ahaimar," a star with a reddish hue. This leads to disagreement about the exact identity of this star; some consider "Al-Ahaimar" to be the star "Antares" in the constellation Scorpius, while others believe it is "Arcturus" in the constellation Boötes, both of which rise at the same time. Other known strikes include "Dharbat Al-Shali," which is the 90th strike of the third hundred in the "Hisbat Al-Durour" (calculation of periods), and is considered the strongest and most violent among known strikes, lasting between four and five days. Furthermore, the strikes of "Hawitaim," "Al-Lakidhib," and "Al-Kawi" are also dangerous for seafarers, which is why Omanis timed their seasons and knew their dates through the rising of stars. Dr. Ishaq Yahya Al Shuaili, Chairman of Oman Astronomical and Space Society, stated that "Omani proverbs have preserved heritage in a simplified way that carries both humor and knowledge. For instance, the beginning of the heat's decline is accompanied by the appearance of the star Suhail, hence the saying: 'If Suhail appears, water and night cool down,' and 'When Al-Kawi appears, cut and roast the wheat,' which refers to the ripening of wheat and the time for its harvest. These and other proverbs convey astronomical heritage to generations, enveloped in years of experience and ancestral knowledge." Al Shuaili believes that the concerted efforts among various educational institutions, civil society, and entities related to science and technology, by expanding the scope of scientific activities and contributions to promote progress in the astronomy and space sectors, will enhance astronomical and space awareness among the new generation in the Sultanate of Oman, in line with the goals of the "National Space Policy." This, he said, can be achieved by integrating and developing astronomy and space sciences into curricula to introduce students to the basics of astronomy and its applications, and to connect them with space exploration at an early stage. Introducing topics such as satellites, meteorites, space robots, and human exploration missions will stimulate scientific curiosity among students at various academic levels. He explained that practical and community activities play a significant role in embodying and clarifying theoretical concepts. These include scientific astronomical observation workshops, visits to astronomical observatories, astronomical scientific competitions, astronomical summer camps, and other activities that allow participants to fully experience astronomy. He also emphasized activating the role of scientific media through the production of educational documentaries and digital content that highlight the importance of astronomy and space in our daily lives, clarify the impact and role of space applications in various fields of life, and contribute to improving essential sectors such as agriculture, communications, navigation, and disaster management. Furthermore, partnerships with specialized scientific societies and institutions in astronomy and space contribute to enhancing community education, including partnerships with scientific research centers and Oman Astronomical and Space Society, to collaborate on various scientific initiatives for the public, such as observation nights and astronomical festivals in universities and schools, he added. Within the same context, Omar Hamdan Al Hosni, a board member of Oman Astronomical and Space Society, noted that "qualifying and training teachers in astronomy and space is a strategic investment in spreading space awareness throughout society, as teachers play a crucial role in transmitting a passion for science. Therefore, qualifying them in astronomy and space, and providing them with modern educational tools, would contribute to enhancing community awareness." Al Hosni pointed out that astronomy and space sciences are undergoing a significant global transformation, with an increasing number of countries entering this field, benefiting from technological development, especially through small satellites (CubeSats) and commercial space projects. From this perspective, the Sultanate of Oman can keep pace with these transformations by adopting the "National Space Policy," which the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has done through the "National Space Program." The National Space Policy has been adopted, focusing on supporting scientific research, developing the necessary infrastructure, and qualifying national competencies in the space sector, he pointed out. He explained that engaging in educational space projects has a significant impact on developing the local space sector, such as designing and manufacturing educational satellites in cooperation with universities in the Sultanate of Oman. This, he said, would contribute to training students in all stages of space systems, from design, manufacturing, and testing to receiving and analyzing space data. Contributing to strengthening Oman's role as a regional center for research and development in astronomy and space will empower national competencies in scientific and innovative projects, Al Hosni affirmed.
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Muscat Daily
SQU team creates low-emission alternative to traditional bricks
Muscat – A team of students from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has developed a sustainable construction brick made entirely from local natural materials, as part of an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the building sector in Oman. Named Envibrick, the product is positioned as a low-emission alternative to traditional bricks. The student-led company behind Envibrick said the product meets key environmental needs specific to Oman, while helping lower carbon emissions. The bricks are lightweight, salt-resistant and provide high thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption in buildings. These are also insect-repellent, adding a health benefit to their environmental and cost advantages. Halima bint Khamis al Fajrani, CEO of Envibrick, said the team conducted extensive testing at the university's laboratories using specialised equipment, with results carefully documented throughout the development process. One of the main technical challenges was the initial weight of the brick, which the team overcame by replacing heavy components with lighter alternatives without compromising strength or quality. Work is ongoing to finalise the formulation and secure a patent for the product. Once the final mix is approved, the team plans to integrate 3D printing into production to meet modern construction requirements more efficiently. Envibrick recently won the Best Marketing and Promotional Idea Award at the Sultan Qaboos University Science Festival Exhibition and ranked among the top three student industrial companies. The team also participated in the Injaz Oman competition, which promotes student entrepreneurship. The startup aims to expand into the Gulf market, where demand for sustainable construction materials is growing.
